Performance Assessment of Balcony Plug-And-Play Photovoltaic Systems in Istanbul

In recent years, balcony plug-and-play photovoltaic (PV) systems have experienced significant growth in Europe, driven by rising electricity prices, environmental awareness, and ease of installation. These modular systems can be directly connected to a household socket without professional installation, making them ideal for apartment residents lacking rooftop access. Their investment cost per kilowatt is nearly half that of conventional rooftop PV, lowering the entry barrier for urban households seeking to reduce energy bills and carbon emissions. This study analyzes the performance of balcony plug-and-play PV systems for Istanbul, Türkiye. Using BEopt building energy simulation software, typical low-, medium-, and high-electricity consumption apartments were modeled to estimate annual electricity demand under Istanbul’s climatic conditions. PV performance was evaluated for different façade orientations (south, east–west, and north) and module tilt angles (70°, 80°, and 90°). Results show that south-facing, 70° tilted systems consistently achieved the highest energy yields and economic performance. For low-consumption households, the 500 W system achieved the shortest payback period of 6.7 years, whereas 1 kW systems performed best for medium- and high-consumption households, with payback periods of 6.3 and 5.7 years, respectively. East–west orientations also performed well, while north-facing systems were least economically viable. These findings suggest that balcony plug-and-play PV systems could offer a practical and cost-effective solution to Türkiye’s low residential PV penetration, enabling widespread adoption in multi-story apartments without complex installation or property issues.